Marcedes Lewis is set to break the record for seasons played by a tight end, but it will not take place in Green Bay. The veteran is finalizing a deal with the Bears, reports Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link). CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson tweets that the agreement is for one year and $2MM. 
Lewis made it clear in June that he had no intention or retiring and was in conversation with teams about a deal for the 2023 season. He will be able to do so in the NFC North, but in a new home for only the third time in his career. The 39-year-old spent the past five seasons with the Packers after 12 as a Jaguar.
As they begin the post-Aaron Rodgers era in Green Bay, however, attention is being turned to the young array of pass-catchers on the team. That includes rookies Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft at the TE spot. A new Packers deal for Lewis seemed unlikely once the trade sending Rodgers to the Jets was finalized, a move which has seen a number of familiar faces on offense join him in New York.
In Chicago, Lewis will compete for a role on a young offense looking to take a step forward in the passing game in particular compared to 2022. The trade involving the No. 1 pick saw wideout D.J. Moore head to the Windy City, putting him in position to operate as the team’s top pass-catcher. At the tight end position, the recently-extended Cole Kmet will lead the group, one which now has even more of a Green Bay flavor to it.
Robert Tonyan inked a Bears deal at the start of free agency after a lengthy Packers stint. He and Lewis will have plenty of familiarity as they compete for snaps in the new-look Bears offense. The latter had the second-least productive season of his career in 2022, recording only six catches (though two of them were touchdowns). His snap share (41%) remained consistent with that of the three previous campaigns, however, showing his continued effectiveness as a run blocker.
Much of the Bears’ success on offense will be determined by the growth of quarterback Justin Fields and the production from the renovated skill-position group around him. Lewis will spend the remainder of training camp looking to carve out a depth role as the newest member of that unit, and in doing so make NFL history for longevity at his position.
I’m very surprised by this signing, I wonder if him and Yannick have the same agent, but he still blocks very well and we just signed a 24 year old to a 50 mil deal, may as well surround him with wisdom
I’m guessing that money isn’t guaranteed, and he signed because of the Luke Getsy connection.
In the crazy world that we exist currently Mr Lewis has positioned himself as the highest paid assistant position coach in the NFL. Good for him and he might even catch a TD pass on the season.
All true. And I don’t think you can overemphasize his blocking ability as being a key to this signing.
So if this doesn’t work out is Poles going to try to sign Mike Ditka? Let’s get on with a proper rebuild instead of using roster spots on over the hill one year rentals.
Terrible take. Even rebuilding teams need some older players to help mentor.
There’s a difference between old and ancient and why on Earth are mentors needed, when teams now have on average, 2 dozen assistant coaches on both offense and defense? I’d rather see the Bears have another 3 win season giving younger prospects an opportunity than have them win 5 games while wasting roster spots on over the hill rentals who will likely spend most of the season on the IR list anyway.
A couple of things here. 1. The Bears are honestly a borderline playoff team in the weak NFC and the laughably awful NFC North, 2. Coaches aren’t nearly as good as mentoring on the pro level as current athletes playing in the current era. 3. Mercedes probably Knows Getsy better than the position coaches
Bears needed a blocking TE and he’ll be a mentor